Duplicator



Nov. 30, 1937. G R NNAN 2,101,000

DUPLICATOR Original Filed Jan. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l W rjww'mt dtfonmv,

Nov. 30, 1937. J. G. BRENNAN 00 DUPLICATOR Original Filed Jan. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED sTATE-s Renewed April 27, 1937 5 Claims.

The invention relates to a duplicating device for making sales slips and other records in connection with transactions occurring in large numbers at short intervals and for other purposes where individual duplicated records are desired.

A great variety of appliances referred to in a general .way as registers or autographic registers have been made and offered for sale and put into general use, but these are all relatively bulky, expensive and complicated, and apt to get out of order so that in the majority of stores salesmens records are made on Z fold tablets of multiple strips between which the carbon sheets are inserted as each record is made and detached. This method which does not include the use of a container for the tablet, while it has the advantage of simplicity and low cost, is objectionable not only on account of the lack of preciseness with which the writing sheet is supported and hence ofneatness .of the record, but further on a'ccountlof the tendency to crock the hands from contact withthe carbon sheets, and hence to soil the goods handled by the salesman who makes therecord.

Other registers-of more elaborate construction are available but in connection with these registers there is an increased expense and a corresponding increase in the bulk of the appliance which makes in cumbersome and inconvenient or impossible for the salesman to carry about with him so that the majority of these registers are secured to a stationary support and none of thein are conveniently portable as are the tablets which are in general use. Further, so much mechanism is involved that the registers get out of order'and are frequently not available for use, and the service expense is an important item.

The invention provides as distinguished from form of a container or box for a pad of Z folded duplicating paper, thesize of which is reduced to the minimum in that the box fits closelyabout the pad having no excess bulk. This appliance or container includes a stationary writing surface or support which is of the exact length of the individual duplicating sheets having at one end a positioning or aligning edge for engaging the transverse crease so as to keep the overlying 0 sheets in alignment. and at the other end a tearing edge which is utilized in. severing the sheets bearing the records. The positioning or aligning edge is spaced back from the front inside surface of the box only by a distance which is 55 only equal to or substantiallyequal to. the thickthe prior practice a duplicating device in the ness of the box and, the tearing edge is come-- spondingly located so thatthe overall dimensions of the box only exceed the'pad by substantially twice the thickness of the material It is of interest thatthe carbon sheets are V secured at the sides of thebox and between the sidesand theflsides of a ,top frame which holds the successive sheets in writing position on the tablet or plate so that no rolls or other complicated device for holding the carbon is necessary. The carbon sheets being thus securely held at each sidernay be each clamped at one side only, making it feasible to use the .appliancelwith sheets which are fan foldedlaterally,andZiolded longitudinally. This method of holding thecar- 1 bon sheets leaves the entire .width of the paper free for writing and eliminates the carbon .rolls f and other complications and contributes in an important ,way to the reduction of the size of" the box'and to an important feature of the in-' vention which is that the entire apparatus, while it provides for holding the tablet and handling the sheets for removing them and aligningthem as quickly and conveniently as any previously existing apparatus, contains no moving parts, i. e., .partswhich move as the sheets. which have been written are drawn forwardly and severed and the new sheets is drawn into place;

It is further of interestthatthe .top frame includes means for closing the front end of. the container where the Z foldtablet isinserted, that the paper is so guided and held that perforations are unnecessary andthat the apparatus can be loaded by insertion of the pack of Z folded sheets and the carb'onsheets for duplication can be inserted and clamped. for use with the tablet almost instantaneously, the period required for an experienced operator to accom plish this change being about'ten seconds.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a duplicating device embodying the features of the invention'in the preferred'fori'n.

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 atopv plan view of the duplicatingcontainer or boxin operative position "with a sheet ready for writingf a sales slip or the like, the top frame being closed to holdthepape'r and carbon in position. i w I Figure 2 is a longitudinal. section on the line 2,2in Figure 1. I

Figure 3 isa fragmentary plan of a duplicating Web or Z fold strip extendedpshowing two of the sheets andanexcess of material at, eachend beyond the sheets illustrated;

Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrating the Z fold web or strip diagrammatically.

Figure 5 is a section on the: line 5-5 in Figure 2, the drawing being on an enlarged scale with the central portion removed.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the duplicating apparatus and tablet holder as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on the line 5--5 in Figure 2, showing the manner of handling the fan folded webs.

Figure 8 is a front elevation showing the frame open.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section on line 2-2, in Figure 1, showing the manner of drawing the web over the aligning edge.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, each of which is used to indicate the same or similar parts in the different figures, the construction shown comprises a box or container i having an upper or main compartment .2, for a continuous web '2 fold tablet and in the form of the invention shown a lower compartment 3 for the storage of records, although this latter compartment is regarded as nonessential. The construction also includes a top frame i for clamping the carbons and to assist in aligning the record sheet being inscribed and to hold it in position. 7

'It is an important feature of the invention that the container or box I is of a size to fit the Z fold tablet 5 used therewith or vice versa, the fit of the tablet in the box being such as to provide for the free insertion of the tablet an its subsequent free removal by feeding to the writing plate or table 6 as hereinafter more fully described. The edges of the web preferably contact the box on all sides, but the thickness of the new tablets when inserted should be slightly less than the depth of the compartment, providing for the unfolding and the free withdrawal of the top sheet. A space of an eighth to a quarter of an inch is suificient for this puropse. As shown, the tablet is nearly exhausted so that the folds are free to open to a considerable extent.

The box or container l is shown as open at the front end at l for the insertion of the tablet 5, and the top or main compartment 2 is closed at the rear by the rear upright wall 8. The front end opening I where the tablet is inserted is closed prior to operation by the front plate 29 of the top frame 4 which fits down over the box or container l, as more fully hereinafter described. The container l is also closed at the sides by side walls 9 and I0, and at the top by the stationary writing plate or table 6, which forms the top of the container. This writing plate is essentially rounded as to its front transverse edge at E2, best shown in Figure 9 to reduce the friction between this edge and the web as it is fed to the top of the writing plate in a manner to be described. The plate or table 6 is provided at the rear with a depression M or other means for permitting the finger of the operator to grasp the end of the sheet to draw itbackward over the plate. The positioning and aligning edge E2 is spaced a slight distance backwardly beyond the lower edge E3 of the front opening i, see Figure 2, in order to provide for free passage of the web when the top frame 4 is closed as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The web referred to comprises two or more strips of paper, depending upon the number of copies desired so that the slips are in duplicate or triplicate, etc, as elected. The rear edge of the writing plate or tablet 6 which is shown as in alignment with the rear outside surface of the box serves as a tearing edge for severing the written sheets or records as they are drawn forwardly, and this edge i5 is spaced from the positioning edge if by a distance exactly equal to the length of the slips or sheets l6 of the web or tablet 5 between the lines of perforations IT. The fingerhole depression M does not interfere with tearing which is effected along the weakened or perforated lines E? which cross the web as tearing is started at either edge and progresses along the perforated lines across the depression it without difiiculty and without departure from these lines.

The top frame 3 which serves to hold the carbon sheets and to align and position the individual record sheets or slips it of the paper web during writing is shown in plan in Figure l in longitudinal section in Figure 2 and in transverse section in Figure 5. This frame as shown consists of flat horizontal transversely extending bands or bars l8 and 19 at the front and rear, a depending front plate or door 29 closing the front of the box and extending downwardly from the trans verse fiat bar l8 at the front and it also includes upright carbon clamping side plates 2| and 22 which in the closed position of the frame as shown in Figures 2 and 5, closely overlie the sides 9 and it? of the box 5 with which they are parallel. Their side plates ill and 22 are spaced from the sides $3 and l 0, by a slight distance somewhat less than the normal thickness of the carbon paper to be used. In the arrangement described these plates serve to clamp the side marginal edges of the carbon sheets 24 used in duplicating, holding them firmly in position as the sheets 5, 5" forming the 2 web 5, are drawn rearwardly on the respective sides of the carbon sheet 24.

It is also of interest that this clamp may be utilized in making duplicates from a fan folded Z web 25 as shown in Figure 7, each of the carbon sheets 25 and 2! being clamped at one side only. I

The top frame 4 is shown as hinged at one side, i. e., at the left in the present construction at 23, the hinge extending longitudinally of the box and at the other side it is clamped inv closed position by means of a thumb nut 29 engaging a bolt 30 seated in the side of the box and projected outwardly, the top frame 4 being formed as to the right side 22 with a slot 3| which straddles the bolt providing a surface at each side of the slot to be engaged by the nut as it is tightened. As will be noted in accordance with the preferred construction, clamping takes place between the upright sides 2!, 22 of the top frame and the corresponding upright sides 9, ll] of the box and the central portion of the top frame overlying the writing tablet or plate 6 being open so that the slips and sheets composing the web are accessible for writing throughout; their width. The carbon is thus more securely clamped than by an overlying frame which is merely forced downwardly against the edge portions of the carbon sheets. The sides of the top frame are preferably resilient and so shaped that when the frame is closed and clamped they spring inwardly against the box sides and the edges of the carbon sheets.

The construction shown includes a storage compartment 3 beneath the main or upper compartment 2. This is not essential to the invention in its broader conception. It is intended for use in retaining the record slips which are in the regular practice detached immediately after writing, the duplicate being given to the customer til am l c therear along the side 22 at 8' asbest shown in Figure 6. This formation of the-slot 8 so that it extends around the corner of the box at 8 is of great advantage in inserting the slips, as it avoids the necessity for holding the slips'flat, as would be necessary to cause them to enterthe slot if it crossed the rear face of the box only.

In addition to the top frame 4 which is hinged at the side, the construction disclosed includes a cover ll hinged at the front at l3 to swing forwardly from closed position in which it protects the surface of the paper as shown in Figure6 to open position asshown fragmentarily inFigure 2 in which it may serve as a support for the hand in writing. 7

The operation of the appliance in the production of records and duplicates will serve to bring out and emphasize the importance of the novel features of the invention. It is ofparticular interest that there are no moving parts which must be operated in feeding the web to the writing surface or in feeding the carbon between the sheets 5', 5f composing the web, and there are no rollsor equivalent mechanism. 7

To load the register, the cover II being open, the top frame 4 is released by unscrewing the nut 29.. This top frame 4 is then swung upwardly to the left as shown in Figure 8 about hinges 26. If the appliance has previously been in use, the used carbons may be removed and the front opening 1 leading to the main compartment 2 being opened by removal of the front plate 20 which is integral with the top frame and swings upwardly therewithasshown in Figure 8, the Z fold tablet 5 is inserted in compartment 2. w The first slip I6 is then drawn forwardly to the position on the plate 6 in which it is shown in Figure l with its front edge overlying the tearing edge 15 and its rear edge at the perforated line H, folded sharply about the aligning edge l2 at the front of the writing plate 6. The carbon sheets 24 are then inserted between the duplicate slips IS on the table 5. These sheets should be wide enough to provide a margin 32 which projects beyond the top surface of the writing table 6 at one orboth sides. In the preferred form the carbon has a margin 32 at both sides as shown in-Figure 5. The carbon 24 is then secured in operative position by closing the frame 4, i. e., swinging it to the right over the box as shown in Figure 8 until the sides 2l and 22 and the front plate 20 close down over the sides and front of .the box closing the main compartment 2 and clamping the carbon 24 in operative position between the duplicate slips 5' and 5" of theislip l6. At this time the fiat bars l8 and I9 immediately overlie the slip Hi. .This slip'is adjusted and positioned by the frame. Loading is then complete and the first slip [6 may be written.

After the slip has been written, the forward edge of the slip is engaged by the fingers of the left hand, one of which enters beneath the slip in the depression H, see Figure 2, and the slip is then drawn rearwardly, the carbon sheet 24 sliding between the overlying thicknessrof paper forated line, the hand orhandsholding the de-.

.vice autornatically holding the last previous; slip V securely on'the writing plate. It is also of interest that the'rtearing edge 15 combines andco- -operates with the positioning and aligning edge .12 inholding the original and the duplicateslips in alignment and in'registration on the writing plate and particularly inbringingthem to registration andalignment as the-paper-is torn, the two edges being spaced by exactly .the distance between the perforatedlines. As ;-ea ch,slip is .drawn backwardly from..the

writing plate, the next successive sheetis drawn from the tabletweb 5 and deflected upwardly about the front-edge I2 of the writing plate which isv shown rounded for this purpose, passing forwardly inthe box and then backwardl-y over the writing plate, 6 in response to the tension applied with-a comparatively slight degree of friction at the edge [32. The looping of the next-slip of the tablet 5 as it isturned forwardly upon itself ,ofiers sufficient resistance to the 'advancement'of each slip as it is drawnover the edge -,I2 tocause 7 the paper which is guided bythe front wall2ll-and shelfor bar l 8 to foldsharply aboutthe edge, l2 upon the next perforated line H. Thisfolding of the paper on the perforated line about the edge l2 has an important effect in positioning andaligning the slip of paper which is now presented for writing orrecording, being at this time supported on the plate 6. As the slip passes forwardly in this way; the Web is guided and aligned inqaggeneral way by the closely adjacent sides ofthebox l and by the upper portions of the sides 2|, 22 of the, frame 4. YA very accurate and precise alignment and positioning of the positioningand alignment which is completely 7 effective, and isprecise as can be desired, dispensing with any and all necessity for the registering perforations in use in machines of this general character is due to the fact that the resiliency of the web is broken by the perforations causing the web to fold with a sharp turn at the perforated line I! so that it fits closely as shown in Figure l on both sides'of the plate 6 at the edge l2, and edge I2 enters into the fold contacting the paper along theentire length of the line H, offering an increased resistance to the further advance .of the web, which resistance is effective along the entire width of the web and :along the'entir'e length of the'perforated line, thus giving an exact registration and alignment of the duplicate slips in writing position.

It will be noted, particularly from Figure 2,

that the-fold positioning edge I2, is comparathin writing plate member. This feature incombination with the close proximity as to vertical distance of the multiple web member together with its forward andreverse foldsand the underside of the writing plate 6 allows for a very close and acute angular fold of the webon the aligning edge l2. The acuteness of this aligned fold at the edge 12 issubstantially equal in angular degree to the original folded angular degree of the same when it is in nested or inoperative folded position in the compartment ,2.

The forward and 'reversefolds referred to 5 above, in this instance,,meaning, the web folds,

located at the front and rear of the storage or magazine compartment 2, respectively.

A particular feature of the invention is the novel means whereby the reverse folds are caused to snugly hug and properly align themselves to the fold positioning edge I2. The means in this instance being the vertical nearness of the multiple slip pack or web to the under surface of the writing plate 6, thus upon the reverse fold being drawn toward the aligning edge 12, the

multiple slips following the reverse folds are caused to double back upon themselves in the limited or narrow space above the pack, thus setting up a comparatively maximum resistance or pullon the part of the doubled slips when the preceding slip is drawn through the machine. This feature together with the vertical and horizontal Walls formed about the edge l2 by the container structures i8 and 2E! tend to cause this reverse fold to be forced back upon itself in a positive manner upon the movement of the preceding slips or web, when the same is drawn through the machine, i. e., to assume an oppositely folded position to that which it originally had when in nested position in the web compartment. Thus the reverse folds which tend to give the greatestdifficulty in apparatus of the present type, in this instance, readily hug and align themselves to the positioning edge 12.

By virtue of the invention a duplicating device has been produced which serves all the purposes and has all the advantages of the more elaborate and expensive machines, most of which are so bulky that they are in no sense portable and others of which, though intended to be portable, are so bulky that they can not be conveniently handled or carried by the clerk making the sales to be recorded. The appliance of the invention, on the other hand, is in effect but very slightly larger than a 2 fold tablet of the size which it contains, the fact being that it exceeds the size of the tablet only by the thickness of the material of which itswalls are composed. Its cost is but slightly greater than that of. the plain tablet with carbon sheets to be inserted at each writing of a slip. It affords a rigid support for the slip being written and an automatic positioning and registration of the overlying slips, and it also protects the hands completely from contact with the carbons which in the use of the plain tablet occurs between each writing and in addition to these advantages it has the important advantage that it is not only compact but simple in construction, having no moving parts which operate in connection with the feeding of the slips to writing position.

I have thus described a duplicating device embodying the features of the invention, the description being specific and in detail in order that themanner of constructing, operating, applying and using the same may be fully understood, however the specific terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination in a duplicating apparatus comprising a box adapted to receive and fit closely upon a Z folded multiple web composed of successive record slips, the said box and multiple web being substantially the same size, said box having a stationary top wall which serves as a writing plate over which the web is drawn rearwardly to successive writing positions, a top frame having an opening to expose the sheet on the plate for writing, a front flange to close the front of the box whichis otherwise open beneath the writing plate to receive the tablet, the'forward edge of the writingplate being spaced backwardly from the front plate of the frame in closed position by a distance just suflicient to permit free passage of the web from the Z tablet, said tablet having weakened lines separating it into record slips, the said front edge being thin and sharp to enter and maintain the sharp fold of the paper web, thus serving as a positive positioning edge to engage the weakened lines between the successive record slips as the web is folded about'said edge due to the tension in feeding the front flange having a plate extending backwardly and overlying said edge and spaced upwardly therefrom by a distance just suflicient to pass the web which is led about said edge upwardly and backwardly, the writing plate having at its rear end a tearing edge to sever the written sheets as they are drawn forwardly.

2. In 'a device of the type described a box adapted to receive and fit a tablet comprising a continuous multiple web of 2 fold. paper separated into successive record slips by weakened lines, the said box and multiple web being substantially the same size, said box having a top wall to serve as a writing plate over which the web'is drawn rearwardly to successive writing positions, the front edge of said plate being spaced from the front wall of the box and by a distance only sufficient to pass the web, the top wall being of the exact length of the sheets between the weakened lines, the front edge of the writing plate being thin and sharp so it will enter the fold of the paper in such a manner as to cause the fold to assume and maintain its original sharp and acute angular position, thus serving as a positive positioning edge engaging the weakened lines and causing the web to be folded sharply at said lines about said edge in writing position the rear edge of the writing plate serving as a tearing edge and both edges serving to hold the multiple sheets in registration.

3. In a device of the type described a box adapted to receive and fit a tablet comprising a continuous multiple web of Z fold paper separated into successive record slips by perforated lines, the said box and tablet being of the same size, said box having a top wall to serve as a writing plate over which the web is drawn rearwardly to successive writing positions, the front edge of said plate being spaced from the front wall of the box and immediately adjacent thereto and by a distance only sufficient to pass the web, the top wall being of the exact length of the sheets between the weakened lines and having at its rear end a tearing edge for separating the sheets along said lines, the front edge of the writing plate being thin and sharp to enter and maintain'substantially the original acute close fold of the paper web thus servingv as a positive positioning edge engaging the perforated lines and causing the web to be folded sharply at said lines about said edge when in writing position both the front edge of the writing plate and the tearing edge serving to position the multiple sheets in registratiom 4. The combination in a duplicating apparatus comprising a box adapted to receive and fit close- 1y upon a multiple web 2 fold duplicating tablet, both the said box and tablet being substantially the same size, said box having a stationary top wall which serves as a writing plate, the said top wall or writing plate being immediately adjacent the top of the tablet, the box being open at the front to admit the tablet, a removable top frame having an opening to expose the sheet on the writing plate for writing, the top frame having a front flange to close said front opening, a positive positioning edge at the front of the writing plate and immediately adjacent thereto and spaced backwardly from said front flange by a distance just sufficient to pass the web, said edge being thin and substantially sharp for purposes of maintaining substantially the original acute angular folded position of the web fold, when the exposed upper slip is in writing position, the said edge also being adapted to serve as a guide for the web as it is drawn over the writing plate, the box also having a tearing edge at the rear of said writing plate, the web being divided into slips by perforated lines extending across the web, which is drawn forwardly from the tablet and backwardly over the writing plate in feeding so that the front edge of the writing plate engages each perforated line as the web is drawn forwardly, the web being thus folded sharply about the said front edge, the tearing edge being spaced from the front edge of the writing plate by a distance equal to the length of the web between the perforated lines so that the tearing edge cooperates with the front edge of the writing plate to position and align the portion of the web on the writing plate at the time of tearing, holding the l V 7 record slips and duplicating slips in registration.

5. The combination in a duplicating apparatus comprising a box adapted to receive and-fit closely upon a multiple web Z folded duplicating tablet, composed of slips terminating in forward and reverse folds, said box and tablet being substantially the same size, said box having a stationary top Wall adapted to be used as a writing plate, said plate and the upper portion of the tablet being immediately adjacent each' other, the top plate terminating in a substantially sharp web fold positioning edge immediately adjacent to the front vertical wall of the box providing a narrow elongated opening between thesaid edge and vertical wall, sufficiently wide to pass only the multiple web, a top frame comprising a horizontal plate immediately overlying said edge and extending backwardly from the front wall, the

front wall and the overlying plate providing means whereby the reverse folds of the web are turned and controlled at this point, so that the reverse fold hugs the said fold positioning edge, and the slip following the reverse fold is caused to double back closely upon itself.

JAMES G. BRENNAN. 

